Device for fastening cargo in a transportation means

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for fastening cargo in a transportation means comprising at least one guide rail ( 1 ) and at least one fastening element ( 2 ) which can be attached to the guide rail ( 1 ) and has a catch element ( 22 ), wherein the guide rail ( 1 ) has a substantially C-shaped profile having two shoulders ( 10 ) and a groove ( 11 ), the catch element ( 22 ) is insertable into the groove ( 11 ) and the catch element ( 22 ) which is inserted into the groove ( 11 ) is pivotable about an axis extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (L) of the guide rail, so at least one catch lug ( 23 ) of the catch element ( 22 ) engages with an undercut, formed by at least one of the shoulders ( 10 ), in the guide rail ( 1 ) and the fastening element ( 2 ) is arrested on the guide rail ( 1 ) at least in a vertical direction of the guide rail.

The invention relates to a device for fastening cargo in a transportation means comprising at least one guide rail and at least one fastening element which can be attached to the guide rail and has at least one catch element.

Devices for fastening cargo are used, for example, in the loading region of transport vehicles, utility vehicles or the like. A device for clamping belts or loads at a plurality of predetermined locations is known, for example, from EP 1 108 608 B1. The device comprises a U-shaped rail which is arranged on the wall of a transport vehicle and has recesses defining predetermined clamping locations. The device further comprises a moving clamping element which is displaceably arranged in a channel in the U-shaped rail and has a bolt or positioning part which is tensioned by a spring such as to become lodged and jammed in one of the recesses. A position for attaching the clamping element is in this case not freely selectable but rather determined by an arrangement of the recesses.

DE 43 36 762 C1 further discloses a device for fastening cargo to loading surfaces of transportation means that comprises a holding rail and fastening elements which can be arrested in the holding rail. The fastening elements have a clamping part for insertion into the holding rail, the holding rail having a substantially trapezoidal profile with a cross section tapering toward the opening and the clamping part being made of an elastically deformable material and having a peg shape, the width of which is less than and the length of which is greater than the clear width of the opening in the holding rail. For engagement with the holding rail, the clamping part is rotated through approx. 90° about an axis extending parallel to the vertical direction of the holding rail, so the clamping part presses against the trapezoidal profile of the holding rail and is thus arrested.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device for fastening cargo in a transportation means allowing simple, rapid and flexible fastening of cargo in the transportation means.

This object is achieved by a device for fastening cargo to a transportation means comprising at least one guide rail and at least one fastening element which can be attached to the guide rail and has a catch element, wherein the guide rail has a substantially C-shaped profile having two shoulders and a groove, the catch element is insertable into the groove and the catch element which is inserted into the groove is pivotable about an axis extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guide rail, so at least one catch lug of the catch element engages with an undercut, formed by at least one of the shoulders, in the guide rail and the fastening element is arrested on the guide rail at least in a vertical direction of the guide rail.

Along the longitudinal axis of the guide rail, the fastening element can be arrested on the guide rail at any desired location thereof. In one configuration, the guide rail is configured without recesses or the like which define specific fastening locations. The fastening element is secured to the guide rail by pivoting the catch element, so a catch lug engages with an undercut in the guide rail. This prevents at least a movement of the fastening element in a vertical direction. Displacement of the fastening element along the guide rail owing to a force, in particular a frictional force, acting at least between the catch lug and the guide rail, can in this case also be prevented by applying a tensile force to the fastening element in the direction of the vertical direction. The extent of the frictional force depends in this case on a material pairing used for the guide rail and the catch element and on a force applied in the vertical direction. In addition, the force can be influenced by way of a shape of the contact surface between the catch element and the guide rail.

In one configuration of the invention, the fastening element is a shackle. Belts and the like can easily be fastened to shackles.

In a further configuration of the invention, the catch element is formed in one piece with the shackle. The fastening element is in one embodiment formed from one part. As a result of pivoting of the shackle, the catch element which is formed in one piece with the shackle is also pivoted and the fastening element is arrested on the guide rail for lashing of articles to the shackle.

In a further configuration of the invention, the fastening element has a holding element, the catch element being swivelably mounted on the holding element. The gripping part of a shackle and the catch element are in one exemplary embodiment configured in one piece and jointly mounted on the holding element and jointly operable. In other configurations, the gripping part or a clip of the shackle and the catch element are fastened to the holding element at separate bearing points.

In a further configuration of the invention, the holding element has at least one projection which rests on an outside of at least one shoulder when the catch element is inserted into the groove. In one exemplary embodiment, the catch element is in this case arranged in such a way that the shoulder of the rail can be clamped between the projection and the catch lug. In another configuration, the fastening element can be arranged on the guide rail in such a way that the catch element is inserted into the groove, displacement of the holding element along the groove allowing the position of the fastening element along the guide rail to be defined in a suitable manner.

In a further configuration of the invention, the holding element has at least one holding lug by means of which the holding element can be attached to an edge bordering the shoulder. The holding lug allows the security with which the fastening means is arrested in the groove to be further increased. Attachment can in this case be carried out by means of a suitable swiveling movement. In other exemplary embodiments, the holding lug can be attached to the guide rail in the axial direction.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the catch element is configured in the manner of a fluke of a folding anchor. The fastening means comprises in this case a fluke or a plurality of catch elements which are configured as flukes or blades and are pivotable between a first position, in which they are oriented substantially parallel to a vertical direction of the guide rail, and a second position, in which they are oriented substantially transversely, preferably at about right angles, to the vertical direction. If the catch elements are arranged in the first position, the fastening element can be displaced at least along the guide rail and in one exemplary embodiment can also be removed from the groove in the guide rail. For arresting the fastening element, the catch elements are pivoted into the second position.

In a further configuration of the invention, the catch element for insertion into the groove is received in a housing. The housing can be used to secure the catch elements in the first position, the catch elements being released from the first position by means of displacement of the housing. In one exemplary embodiment, the catch elements are prestressed in the direction of the second position by a forced action means such as a spring or the like. The housing allows displacement of the catch elements into the first position counter to the force of the forced action means, so the arresting can be released.

In a further configuration of the invention, the catch element is pivotable between a first position for insertion into the groove from a vertical direction of the guide rail and a second position for reaching behind the shoulder of the load rail. The fastening means can in this case be inserted into the guide rail and/or removed from the guide rail by arranging the catch element in the first position at any desired location.

In a further configuration of the invention, the catch element is secured in at least one position by a closure element, in particular a closure latch or the like. The term ‘closure latch’ refers in this case to a latch which closes, in particular engages, on movement of a catch element into the latch, thus preventing the catch element from moving out of the latch.

In a further configuration of the invention, the securing provided by the closure element can be canceled by means of an operating element, in particular by means of an actuating button or the like. Actuating the operating element, for example pressing a button, allows the securing of the closure element to be canceled and, for example, the catch element to be removed from a closure latch. The button can in this case be configured as what is known as a push-push element which is both locked and released by pressing in one direction.

In a further configuration of the invention, the catch element is pivotable by means of an axially displaceable actuating element, in particular by means of a push-button or the like. Suitable means, which convert an axial movement of the actuating element into a pivoting movement of the catch elements, are provided for this purpose on the fastening element.

Further advantages of the invention will emerge from the subsequent description of exemplary embodiments of the invention that are represented schematically in the drawings. Like reference numerals are used in the drawings for identical or similar components. All of the features and/or advantages emerging from the claims, the description or the drawings, including design details, spatial arrangements and method steps, can be instrumental to the invention both per se and in a broad range of combinations. Features described or illustrated as part of an exemplary embodiment can also be used in another exemplary embodiment to obtain a further embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention comprising a guide rail and a fastening element according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fastening element according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a simplified sectional view of the device according to FIG. 1 on arresting of the fastening means;

FIG. 4 is a simplified sectional view of a device according to the invention comprising a guide rail and a fastening element according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fastening element according to the invention according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a partially cut-away side view of the fastening element according to FIG. 5 in a first position;

FIG. 7 is a partially cut-away side view of the fastening element according to FIG. 5 in a second position;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a fastening element according to the invention according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a partially cut-away side view of the fastening element according to FIG. 8 in a first position; and

FIG. 10 is a partially cut-away side view of the fastening element according to FIG. 5 in a second position.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention comprising a guide rail 1 and a fastening element 2 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. The guide rail 1 has a substantially C-shaped profile having two mutually parallel shoulders 10, a groove 11 extending in the longitudinal axis L of the guide rail 1 being formed. The guide rail 1 can, for example, be attached to a floor of a motor vehicle (not shown) or to a wall of a transporter (also not shown). A plurality of guide rails 1, which are attached to the floor and/or to the walls, may in this case be provided. The fastening element 2 can be arrested on the guide rail 1. The fastening element 2 shown is configured as a shackle having a clip or gripping part 20 comprising an opening 21. The opening 21 serves in this case on the one hand to facilitate handling and on the other hand to fasten a load belt or the like.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fastening element 2 according to FIG. 1. The fastening element 2 shown is substantially L-shaped in cross section, the L shape being formed by the gripping part 20 and a catch element 22 which is configured in one piece with the gripping part and has a catch lug 23. The fastening element 2 can be produced, for example, as an injection-molded plastics material part or the like.

FIG. 3 shows schematically attachment of the fastening element 2 to the guide rail 1. As may be seen in FIG. 3, the gripping part 20, and thus the catch element 22 which is configured in one piece with the gripping part 20, is pivotable about a notional axis (not shown) which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L (shown in FIG. 1) of the guide rail 1. For the purposes of attachment, the fastening element 2 is held by a user in a first position indicated by broken lines and displaced by a movement extending substantially parallel to a vertical direction H of the guide rail 1, so the catch element 22 is inserted into the groove 11. After insertion, the fastening element 2 is moved by a user into the second position indicated by solid lines, the catch element 22 being pivoted in such a way that the catch lug 23 of the catch element 22 engages with an undercut formed by an associated shoulder 10 of the guide rail 1. As a result, the fastening element 2 is arrested on the guide rail 1 and removal in the vertical direction H is prevented. The fastening element 2 rests in this case against a second shoulder 10, opposing the first shoulder, of the guide rail 1 via a contact point 25, so the fastening element 2 is clamped in the guide rail 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a device according to the invention comprising a guide rail 101 and a fastening element 102 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. The guide rail 101 shown is introduced into a schematically illustrated bodywork wall 3. In one exemplary embodiment, the guide rail 101 is secured to a bodywork wall 3, for example welded, riveted or screwed thereto. The guide rail 101 has a substantially C-shaped profile, shoulders 110, which in the illustrated embodiment protrude beyond the legs 112 in both directions, being arranged at ends of legs 112 of the C-shaped guide rail 101, so the shoulders 110 and the legs 112 are arranged so as to be substantially T-shaped in cross section. The fastening element 102 is also configured as a shackle comprising a gripping part 120. The gripping part 120 is formed in one piece with a catch element 122 having a catch lug 123. The gripping part 120 and the catch element 122 are mounted in a holding element 121 so as to be able to swivel about an axis 124. The holding element 121 has a projection 125 which rests on an outside of a shoulder 110 of the guide rail 101 when the fastening element 102 is arranged on the guide rail 101 as shown. The holding element 121 has, on a second side opposing the projection 125, a holding lug 126 which can be used to attach the holding element 121 to an edge 113 which borders the second shoulder 110 and faces a groove 111. The holding element 121 can, for example, be attached to the guide rail 101 by means of a swiveling movement, the holding lug 126 first being placed onto the edge 110. In other exemplary embodiments, the holding element 121 can be pushed onto the guide rail 101 in the longitudinal direction thereof. The holding element 121 is displaceably fastened to the guide rail 101. Swiveling of the gripping part 120, and thus of the catch element 122 which is integrally connected to the gripping part 120, into the position indicated by broken lines causes the catch lug 123 of the catch element 122 to engage with the undercut, formed by one of the shoulders 110, in the guide rail 101, so the fastening element 102 is arrested on the guide rail 101. Arresting is in this case possible at any desired location along the longitudinal axis of the guide rail 101.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a fastening element 202 according to the invention according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention. The fastening element 202 is configured as a shackle having a clip 220. Two catch elements 222 are in each case swivelably arranged on legs 221 of the clip 220 in the manner of a fluke of a folding anchor, FIG. 5 showing only one catch element 222. The fastening element 202 further comprises a housing 224 in which the legs 221 of the clip 220 are displaceably mounted. The clip 220 is in this case displaceable relative to the housing 224 between a first position shown in FIG. 6 and a second position shown in FIG. 7. In the first position shown in FIG. 6, the catch elements 222 are held by the housing 224 resting against the legs 221 of the clip 220, so the fastening element 202 can be inserted into a groove 211 which is formed by shoulders 210 of a guide rail (not shown). Moving the clip 220 in a vertical direction H relative to the housing 224 allows the catch elements 222 to be pivoted into a second position as shown in FIG. 7. This causes engagement of the catch lugs 223 of the catch elements 222 with the undercuts formed by the shoulders 210, so the fastening element 202 is arrested on the guide rail (not shown). The fastening element 202 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 also has a holding element 225 which is arranged on the outside of the shoulders 210 between two guide lugs 212.

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are schematic perspective views of a fastening element 302 according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention and partially cut-away side views of the fastening element 302 in a first and a second position. The fastening element 302 is configured as a shackle and comprises a clip 320 and catch elements 322 which are each pivotably attached to a holding element 321. The holding element 321 has a substantially T-shaped cross section, the holding element 321 being insertable into a guide rail (not shown in FIG. 8 to 10) via a longitudinal beam 324 of the T shape. For insertion of the fastening element 302 into the guide rail (not shown), the catch elements 322 are pivotable into the first position shown in FIG. 9. For pivoting of the catch elements 322, a force, indicated schematically by an arrow, can in the illustrated exemplary embodiment be applied to an operating element which is configured as an actuating button 325. If the force is not applied, the catch elements 322 pivot into the second position shown in FIG. 10. In other configurations, the catch elements 322 are pivoted by actuation of the actuating button 325 into the first position shown in FIG. 9, where they are held by a closure element, for example in the manner of a closure latch. The catch elements 322 remain in this case in the position shown in FIG. 9 even if the force is not applied. An operating element allows the closure element to be unlocked. In one configuration, the actuating button 325 can in this case serve as the operating element, wherein repressing the actuating button 325 causes the catch element 322 to be rereleased and pivot into the position shown in FIG. 10. The actuating button 325 operates in this case based on what is known as the push-push principle.

In one configuration of the invention, the catch elements 322 are prestressed by forced action elements (not shown), for example by springs, in the direction of the second position shown in FIG. 2, the application of a force according to FIG. 9 allowing the catch elements 322 to be moved counter to the prestressing force into the first position shown in FIG. 9. In the second position shown in FIG. 10, catch lugs 323 formed on the catch elements 322 engage with an undercut in a guide rail (not shown in FIG. 10), so the fastening element 302 can be arrested on the guide rail. The fastening element 302 is insertable at any desired location along the longitudinal direction of a guide rail (not shown).

The catch elements 322 shown have additional catch projections 326 which can engage with recesses which are complementary thereto and formed at preferred catch locations on the guide rail. Preferably, the fastening element 302 can however be attached to any desired location along the longitudinal direction of a guide rail. For this purpose, in other exemplary embodiments, the catch elements 322 are configured without catch projections 326.

Two catch elements 322, which each interact with one of the two shoulders 10 of a guide rail 1 shown by way of example in FIG. 1, are provided in the case of the fastening element 302 shown in FIG. 8 to 10. In other configurations of the invention, merely one catch element 322 which can be pivoted by means of an actuating button 325 may be provided. In still other configurations, a plurality of catch elements 322 are provided, as is illustrated, opposing one another or in series on the actuating element 302. 

1. Device for fastening cargo in a transportation means comprising at least one guide rail (1, 101, 201) and at least one fastening element (2, 102, 202, 302) which can be attached to the guide rail (1, 101, 201) and has a catch element (22, 122, 222, 322), characterized in that the guide rail (1, 101, 201) has a substantially C-shaped profile having two shoulders (10, 110, 210) and a groove (11, 111, 211), the catch element (22, 122, 222, 322) is insertable into the groove (11, 111, 211) and the catch element (22, 122, 222, 322) which is inserted into the groove (11, 111, 211) is pivotable about an axis extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (L) of the guide rail (1, 101, 201), so at least one catch lug (23, 123, 223, 323) of the catch element (22, 122, 222, 322) engages with an undercut, formed by at least one of the shoulders (10, 110, 210), in the guide rail (1, 101, 201) and the fastening element (2, 102, 202, 302) is arrested on the guide rail (1, 101, 201) at least in a vertical direction (H) of the guide rail (1, 101, 201).
 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening element (2, 102, 202, 302) is a shackle.
 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the catch element (2, 102) is formed in one piece with a gripping part (20, 120) of the shackle.
 4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening element (102, 302) has a holding element (121, 321), the catch element (122, 322) being swivelably mounted on the holding element (121, 321).
 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the holding element (121, 321) has at least one projection (125) which rests on an outside of at least one shoulder (110) when the catch element (122) is inserted into the groove (11).
 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the holding element (123) has at least one holding lug (126) by means of which the holding element (123) can be attached to an edge (113) bordering the shoulder (110).
 7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the catch element (222) is configured in the manner of a fluke of a folding anchor.
 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the catch element (222) for insertion into the groove (211) and/or for displacement along the groove (211) is received in a housing (224).
 9. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the catch element (22, 122, 322, 422) is pivotable between a first position for insertion into the groove (11, 211) and a second position for reaching behind the undercut, formed by at least one shoulder (10, 110, 210), in the guide rail (1, 101, 201).
 10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the catch element (222, 322) is secured in at least one position by a securing element (224), in particular a closure latch or a spring.
 11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the securing provided by the closure element can be canceled by means of an operating element, in particular by means of an actuating button (325) or the like.
 12. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the catch element (322) is pivotable by means of an axially displaceable actuating element, in particular by means of a button (325) or the like. 